In difficult times, many criminals roam freely. Every day, people are robbed, assaulted, or worse. When bounties are placed on these criminals, mages hunt them down.
"You wh***, strip!" Rick demanded.
"P-please let me go," the maid pleaded.
"When I tell you to do something, you do it! Understand?" Rick barked. "Now, spread your legs !"
After having his fill, Rick made his way to a bar to get drunk.
Rick entered the bar and saw a young man, about 16, wearing a cloak, a bartender with a long beard, and a hefty frame of at least 250 lbs, Rick thought. Despite his size, the bartender couldn't compete with Rick in terms of weight. The atmosphere in the bar was odd, almost empty with just two people, neither of whom seemed pleased to see Rick. While Rick wasn't one to liven up places, he felt compelled to now.
"Barkeeper, bring out your betting slips. I challenge the guy in the cloak to a duel," Rick declared.
"We don't do that here," the bartender replied.
"It's fine, we'll do it, but under my conditions. Understand?" the cloaked figure said.
"What do you propose?" Rick asked.
"Sword roulette," the cloaked figure responded.
*Sword roulette is a game where you play rock-paper-scissors. The loser calls black or white. The game master has written one of these colors on a piece of paper before the game. If the loser guesses incorrectly, nothing happens. If they guess incorrectly, they lose a hand. The game continues until someone loses a hand.
"No way, I'm not that crazy—" Rick began, but then he saw the sack of money the cloaked figure carried and grew greedy.
"Alright, we play, but only two rounds. If my hand is still attached after that, I win regardless," Rick negotiated.
The cloaked figure agreed, even though the game didn't seem to benefit him. What was he planning?
"Rock"
"Paper"
"Scissors"
The cloaked figure won. Rick called white. The bartender revealed the paper: white.
Rick bolted from the bar as fast as he could. The cloaked figure pulled out a piece of paper—an arrest warrant(a bounty). The target: serial killer Rick, with a bounty of 50 gold coins and 55 silver coins. (1 Gold Coin= 100$; 1 Silvercoin= 10$; 1 Bronze Coin= 1$)
"I'll get him," said Nero, the cloaked figure.
Rick woke up in his bed. "Lucky me. I shouldn't get involved in such stupid games, especially since there's a bounty on me. But I'm low on funds; I should rob some small shops. I'll use my newly acquired masterpiece, the unbreakable armor. It costed me 100 gold coins but it will protect me from mages," Rick thought.
"Stop right there, you wretch. You're not causing any trouble today. Get lost!"
Nero struck Rick's armor, but his sword shattered.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! YOU'RE NERO, AREN'T YOU? THE MAGELESS HUNTER. I HAD HOPED THAT IF ANYONE FOUND ME, IT WOULD BE YOU. YOU'VE GOT NOTHING ON ME!"
"Actually this is not my real sword." Nero replied
Nero snapped his fingers, summoning his beast. The beast held a sword in its mouth. (The same that Mokoto had, 7 years ago) Nero took the sword and used the same technique Mokoto used the day he introduced them to The inner Yang. He circled around his opponent like a Tornado Breaking the "unbreakable Armor and deafeating his opponent.
"First Sword style" Nero said before defeating him.
Nero's Point of View
One day earlier
I have financial problems and can't even afford to stay in a hotel. I need some luck again. It's been almost a year since I had to leave the Shippai Suru clan (there was a 7-year timeskip, and he's now 16). During that time, I've honed my sword skills and abilities with my beast. I have learned twelve new sword styles over the past Years and they are so powerful that I could defeat the elite I hope. I have a pouch full of bronze coins, so I'll grab a few drinks and see if I can stay with a friend.
"Jeff, old buddy, I'd like a beer. Let's have a drink, you know?" Nero greeted.
"I have a job for you, Nero," Jeff the bartender replied.
The mood instantly shifted. We looked at each other seriously as he handed me a wanted poster for Rick. I could hardly believe it when Rick walked minutes later and challenged me to a game. I wanted to play along to learn more about him. Little did he know, the bartender is my accomplice, so I'd win anyway. The bartender can glimpse a few seconds into the future, its his mythical magic power,but he cant fight it is just usefull to see where an opponent attacks but it is no use if you cant fight anyway. But thanks to that ability I knew what to do once he gave me the hints. Rick fled, as expected. That's why you should tie them up. He has a small but nice house. He's so fat; I wonder how he could run. I'll just wait here until he comes out and then kill him.
Present
Who would have thought such a human scum would have such a high bounty? But it's great for me. I should head to the bounty office to collect my reward.
"Hello, young man. Who did you catch today? Wow! I am impressed that's a big fish! Here's your reward! I also have something that might interest you. Read this!" the cashier said.
She handed me a flyer about a junior tournament for those up to 16 years old. Teams of three could enter. The entry fee was 50 gold coins, spectator fee 5 silver coins, and premium seats 2 gold coins. The prize was 1000 gold coins and a place in a bronze guild. I couldn't believe it and started planning what I'd do with all that money, but then realized I still needed two partners. At least I had an idea for one…
Nero's Point of View End
Nero headed to a place he hadn't been in a year—the Shippai Suru clan. Nero knocked on the door, and a caretaker answered.
"Oh, Nero, you sweet little thing, it's nice of you to visit us," the caretaker greeted.
"Well, at 1.84 meters, I'm not that little anymore. But tell me, is Fumiko here?" Nero asked.
"Yes, he's training in the garden," the caretaker replied.
"What else?" Nero said, and they both chuckled.
"Oh hey, Nero, long time no see. Up for a spar?" Fumiko asked.
"I'm here for something else today. There's a tournament. Read this," Nero said.
Fumiko immediately agreed without hesitation. However, they still needed one more member, and there were only 20 minutes left until the registration deadline.
"We'll just go to the arena and see if we can find someone," Nero suggested. Many people without a team are waiting there because they have no money. These people were often weak but they would do anything to fight in public. The top Guilds are watching these tournaments and there is a possibility that they choose you to join them even if you dont win it. But there was a problem: Fumiko wasn't allowed to leave the orphanage, because he is a minor (15= Jr Adult; 17 Adult) and it would take 10 minutes to reach the arena. They had to find a way to sneak Fumiko out.
"Hey boys, I brought you some cookies and tea. It's been a while since Nero was here; we should celebrate. The other kids are already waiting at the table," the caretaker said.
Nero and Fumiko sat down with the other children and chatted for a while. After five minutes, Nero had enough.
"We're wasting too much time," he said. Nero and Fumiko ran out of the room, pretending to head to the toilet but left the orphanage instead. Ten minutes later, they reached the arena.
"We desperately need one more teammate, or we can't participate," Nero said.
"Um," a voice came from behind.
They turned to see a girl wearing a black sweater with blue sleeves, black shorts, and sandals.
"You look like you need a teammate, and coincidentally, I need one too," she said.
Dorothea's Point of View
I have to participate in this tournament, but everyone already has a team. Maybe they'll take me in.
"Thank goodness. Who are you? Tell us about yourself and what you can do," Nero demanded.
"First, change your tone. You're speaking to a noble. You should introduce yourself properly. But fine, my name is Dorothea von Grahlsbern, the king's niece. Just call me Doro, everyone does. I wouldn't mind if you called me princess, though. You're probably wondering why a noble doesn't have a team. The answer is simple: they don't appreciate my abilities. I have two powers instead of just one like commoners. One is regular earth magic, and the other is mythical healing magic. I can heal any of your wounds, so I'll be very useful," Doro explained.
I hope they don't find out that I can't handle my powers. They're too much for me, and my attacks are too weak.
"It's strange that a noble with such abilities couldn't find a team. That can only mean you can't handle your powers at all," Nero said.
"Doesn't matter! Let's sign up now. Only one minute left!" Fumiko interjected.
Dorothea's Point of View End
They signed up and exchanged names and abilities. The tournament began….
Ilustration in the comments
Preview Chapter 3
Fumiko, Nero, and Doro must pass their first team trial. They face many initial challenges. Fumiko and Nero reunite with their old friend Lara and realize the class differences. All this and more in Chapter 3: "The Strength of the ROYALE ACADEMY."